A TEENAGER tragically died in front of his horrified fiancee after his kayak suddenly capsized in the river, an inquest heard.
Cory Chilvers, 18, was paddling the inflatable craft for the first time on the Middle Level Drain, near King’s Lynn, Norfolk, when it suddenly overturned.
SWNSCory Chilvers died after his kayak capsized[/caption]
SWNSThe 18-year-old was paddling the inflatable craft for the first time[/caption]
Cory, from King’s Lynn, managed to shout for help but then disappeared beneath the surface.
His body was recovered four days later after emergency services conducted a major search of the river.
Coroner Samantha Goward concluded that his death was an accident at a hearing on Wednesday at Norfolk Coroner’s Court.
Cory’s mother Claire Wadham said the stretch of water where her son died was a popular summer swimming spot for children from the nearby village but there were no signs or life aids, the court heard.
“If a life aid had been available, the outcome could have been different,” she said.
She added drainage boards which control the area’s waterways had been advised to put up adequate signage in 2003 but the Middle Level Commissioners (MLC) had not done so.
The inquest heard HGV technician Cory had gone to a stretch of the waterway with his fiancée Brianna Webster on July 28.
Claire said since her son’s death, she had set up a charity to raise funds for signs and life aids and had been given permission to install them by the MLC.
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